The Seattle Seahawks use number 12 to honor their fans, who are considered a symbolic “12th player” on the field thanks to their loud, game-changing support.

What “12” Means

  • In football, there are 11 players on the field per team, so the crowd is imagined as the 12th player, giving extra energy and pressure on opponents.
  • The Seahawks fanbase is famous for its noise, passion, and home‑field advantage, so the team built its identity around this idea of the “12th man,” now usually called the “12s.”

How the Tradition Started

  • In December 1984, the Seahawks formally retired jersey number 12 to honor their fans, meaning no player on the team can wear it.
  • Since then, the number 12 appears on flags, banners, and jerseys across Seattle, and the team often raises a “12” flag before home games as a ceremonial salute to the crowd.

Extra Symbolism and Culture Around 12

  • The number 12 shows up in subtle places on Seahawks gear, such as a small 12 stitched into uniform details, reinforcing that fans are woven into the team’s identity.
  • Over the years, “12s” have twice set records for the loudest crowd noise at a sporting event, strengthening the idea that fan energy really does act like an extra player on the field.

So when you see the Seahawks wearing or displaying number 12, it’s not for a star player – it’s a constant shout‑out to their fanbase, the “12s,” who are treated as part of the team.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.